Centenary of Armistice: 11th November 2018 Frome Reflects and Remembers

Frome will be observing the Annual Act of Remembrance, which falls this year exactly 100 years to the moment Armistice was declared, at the eleventh hour on 11th November 1918.

Organisers say, “The town council, armed forces groups and veterans; representatives of organisations that serve our community, along with schools, youth groups and others will be welcomed, as wreaths are laid to the memory of the fallen, and those who lived on, but who carry the scars, in mind or body.

“This year also marks 100 years of Light Division Soldiers, County Regiments, Light Infantry, and Rifles.   Laying wreaths and representing the Rifles /Light Infantry Regimental Associa- tion (Somerset) and the President, Mr Ted Phillips President of Norton & Radstock Branch, will be Mr Nik Nicholson (26 years Light Infantry) and Mr John Muers (15 years Light Infantry). 

“Wreaths will also be laid in tribute to the 100 years since the formation of the Royal Air Force, from the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.

“Besides the Remembrance Sunday parade and service, many schools, arts organisations, churches, sports clubs and groups, in and around Frome, will be making their own observance.  Please take time to visit and support any of the events. 

“We walk in the space that was left behind. Hold that thought, when you see silhouettes around Frome: the “therebutnotthere” project, supported by the Armed Forces Covenant and armed forces charities is “returning the fallen to the spaces they left behind”.

 “Frome and district WW1 Centenary events include:

“From Tuesday 28th August until Saturday 17th November.  10am – 2.00pm

“Frome Heritage Museum. BA11 1AT. From 1918 – Readjusting to Peace.  Commemorating the end of World War 1. An exhibition looking into the effects of the First World War on the local population before and after the armistice. 

“18th-20th October, 7.45 pm, “A Journey’s End”, staged at the Merlin Theatre by Merlin Theatre productions.

 “27th October, 2.30pm.  Upton Scudamore, unveiling a new war memorial in St Mary the Virgin Church, commemorating the five soldiers who fell. Two served with the 1st Battalion Prince Albert’s Somerset Light Infantry.

“From November, perspex silhouettes will be in the Frome Memorial Theatre, Merlin Theatre, Black Swan Arts and local schools and churches, returning the fallen to the spaces they left behind.

“From November, poppies by knitting and embroidery groups and many, many of the public will adorn areas: Red for Remembrance, Blue for Animals Remembered and White for Peace.

1st November, The Frome Ex-Armed forces groups, led by the Frome Royal Naval Association, will have a Garden of Remembrance in the Frome Memorial Theatre foyer.  Crosses to the 224 men of Frome who fell will be on display.  Public welcome to lay crosses.

“From 1st November, at the Garden of Remembrance in the Frome Memorial Theatre foyer.  Daily at 11am, a roll call of 10 names, with a brief WW1 history of the day.

“1st November, The ‘Somerset Poppy of Honour’, travelling on its lorry, will be in the front of the Frome Memorial Theatre 

“From 6th November Black Swan Arts will have an arts installation in the Round Tower:  Silhouettes will form around a personal poppy artwork by Michael Riggs. Pebbles painted in poppies made by Frome Scouts, will also adorn the area in the distinctive Fleur de Lys formation.

 “9th November, 7,30pm, St Margaret’s Church, Corsley.  The launch of  “Lest We Forget”, a story of life in Corsley and Chapmanslade during WW1, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice Day ending WW1. 

“An evening of music, songs, poetry and a resume of the war. Light refreshments and a bar.  Free entry with donations to the Royal British Legion

“11th November at 10.55am, Nunnery Church will have a Nunney Remembers Armistice Service, when those who lost their lives in the village will be recalled. Silhouettes will return the men to the space they left behind.

“11th November at 6.30pm, Wanstrow Church will be having a holding a Service of Remembrance followed by Peal for Peace at 7.00pm

“Silhouettes will return the men to the space they left behind.

“11th November at 6.30pm, St John the Baptist Church Frome.

“A special Service of Remembrance attended by Mr David Warburton MP and the Mayor of Frome. Silhouettes will return the men to the space they left behind.

“11th November at 10.45am, Chapmanslade War Memorial.  Commemorating the fallen and dedicating the addition of names to the memorial.

“Sports clubs will be making their own observances.”